Caring for your Commercial Septic System

Blog > Caring for your Commercial Septic System

Septic systems treat and dispose of small amounts of wastewater onsite, and in a commercial sense this usually means businesses in suburban and rural locations that aren’t served by a centralized public sewer system.

Caring for your septic system near Kansas City, Olathe, and Overland Park might not sound like something you want to have on your list of priorities, but taking measures to look after your system is incredibly important in avoiding system problems (and costs) further down the line. It will also help you maintain the health of your water, and therefore the health of anyone using the facilities at your premises.

How do commercial septic systems work?

A commercial septic system is very similar to a residential system, just slightly larger. Waste and wastewater are still flushed down the toilet, sink or shower, and end up in the septic tank.

This septic tank, the repository for solid waste, is one of the differences between commercial and residential systems, as it will typically be larger because more people are likely using the system. Wastewater is treated through the drainfield and goes into the ground as clean groundwater.

Some larger commercial septic systems also have either horizontal or vertical extensions if they need to handle big volumes of waste.

So, what are the things you can do to keep your septic system in good working order and avoid getting to know your local Kansas City plumbing contractors too well?

How to care for your commercial septic system

Following these suggestions should mean you won’t have any problems with your septic system for many years.

Use water efficiently and monitor your usage

Did you know that a leaky or running toilet can waste as much as 250 gallons of water per day ? Not only is that a waste of water, but you’ll soon start noticing the cost on your water bill.

The more water you can conserve, the less goes into the septic system. This improves how your septic system works and reduces the likelihood that it will fail.

Try fitting high-efficiency toilets, which use fewer gallons of water per flush. With toilets accounting for 25-30% of water use, this is a simple way to reduce your usage. You could also fit your faucets with aerators, which conserve water and reduce energy costs, and if you have showers on your premises, it might be worth getting high-efficiency showerheads. All of these measures will help you reduce water use and therefore the volume of water going into your system.

Dispose of waste properly

Think before you flush waste down the toilet or pour it down the sink. Everything that goes into your water pipes will also go into your septic system, ultimately affecting its functionality.

One basic rule is enough for flushing waste down a toilet: only flush human waste or toilet paper, nothing else. You should never flush things like diapers, “flushable” wipes or non-flushable like baby wipes, paper towels, cigarette ends, or even feminine hygiene products.

It might be tempting and convenient to flush everything down the sink, but it’s best to avoid pouring away solvents and toxic cleaners because you could kill the organisms in your septic tank that digest and treat your waste.

You should also avoid pouring grease or oil down the sink as they can solidify and clog your drainfield.

Maintain your drainfield

Your drainfield removes contaminants from the wastewater that comes out of your septic tank, and is a critical part of your system that should be well-maintained . You can do this by:

• Not planting trees near your drainfield so their roots don’t grow into your septic system and cause damage
• Keeping rainwater drainage systems away from your drainfield. If there’s too much water in your drainfield, it can slow the wastewater treatment process down
• Not parking or driving on the drainfield

Have your system inspected

It’s important to have your commercial septic system professionally inspected regularly. Undertaking preventive maintenance of your system means you’ll catch any minor faults before they have a chance to become major cost, health or time issues, and your septic system continues to run smoothly.

Pump out your septic tank regularly

Pumping out your septic tank regularly, meaning about every one to three years, helps ensure that solids are broken down and won’t clog your drainfield. This in turn helps avoid things going wrong in your system and increases its lifespan.

Servicing your commercial septic system

We recommend having your plumbing contractor service your septic system every 6 months. Regular servicing will keep your system running smoothly and identify any areas that might require new parts or fixes.

If you’re looking for a commercial plumber in Kansas City, Olathe, or Overland Park, contact us today for your customized quote.